EP3918195A1 - Foundation for a wind turbine and wind turbine - Google Patents

Foundation for a wind turbine and wind turbine

Info

Publication number
EP3918195A1
EP3918195A1 EP20710826.7A EP20710826A EP3918195A1 EP 3918195 A1 EP3918195 A1 EP 3918195A1 EP 20710826 A EP20710826 A EP 20710826A EP 3918195 A1 EP3918195 A1 EP 3918195A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
flywheel
energy
foundation
wind turbine
rotor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP20710826.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3918195B1 (en
Inventor
Jon GOULD
Carlos LLOPIS
Samuel-Matthias Wiktor
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS
Original Assignee
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS filed Critical Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy AS
Publication of EP3918195A1 publication Critical patent/EP3918195A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3918195B1 publication Critical patent/EP3918195B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D13/00—Assembly, mounting or commissioning of wind motors; Arrangements specially adapted for transporting wind motor components
    • F03D13/20—Arrangements for mounting or supporting wind motors; Masts or towers for wind motors
    • F03D13/22—Foundations specially adapted for wind motors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/10—Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy
    • F03D9/12—Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy storing kinetic energy, e.g. using flywheels
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03D—WIND MOTORS
    • F03D9/00—Adaptations of wind motors for special use; Combinations of wind motors with apparatus driven thereby; Wind motors specially adapted for installation in particular locations
    • F03D9/20—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus
    • F03D9/25—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator
    • F03D9/255—Wind motors characterised by the driven apparatus the apparatus being an electrical generator connected to electrical distribution networks; Arrangements therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/912—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure on a tower
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/72—Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/70—Wind energy
    • Y02E10/728—Onshore wind turbines
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/16—Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E70/00—Other energy conversion or management systems reducing GHG emissions
    • Y02E70/30—Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a foundation for a wind turbine, especially for an onshore wind turbine. Furthermore, the invention is related to a wind turbine, especially an on shore wind turbine.
  • Foundations for wind turbines are used to provide a base for a tower of the wind turbine.
  • Such foundations are made of concrete, es pecially reinforced concrete, or the like. These foundations comprise different zones that contribute differently to the support of the tower.
  • such foundations comprise an outer zone and a center zone, wherein all or at least most of the load of the tower is conducted into the outer zone.
  • the center zone is also denoted as "non-loaded ar ea" .
  • center zones just exist due to simplify the design of the foundation and installation but have no particular function due to the lack of loads present. Therefore, the center zones essentially contribute to the environmental footprint as well as the costs of the wind turbine project.
  • wind turbines have the disadvantage that in windy situations a surplus of electricity may be produced wherein in windless situations no electricity can be generated. This means a special challenge for the electric grid to transport and store electricity produced by wind turbines.
  • Batteries have the disadvantage of relatively high costs and low lifetime due to constant capacity loss. Used batteries are hazardous waste and, as a consequence, recycling of bat teries is very expensive as well. Moreover, such batteries often require cooling means to prevent overheat and have to be protected from environmental influences, especially from water .
  • a foundation for a wind turbine comprising base means with a center zone and an outer zone, wherein the outer zone is configured for carrying most of the weight of the wind turbine.
  • the base means in the center zone, the base means comprises a chamber, wherein the foundation further comprises energy storage means.
  • the energy storage means comprise a flywheel pivotally arranged within the cham ber for storing rotational energy and transmission means for transforming energy of a wind turbine into rotational energy of the flywheel and for transforming rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy.
  • the foundation is configured as a base for a wind turbine, especially a wind turbine with a rotor comprising rotor blades for converting wind energy into rotational energy of the rotor, a generator for converting rotational energy of the rotor into electrical energy and a tower for carrying the rotor and the generator. Therefore, the foundation is config ured as a base for the tower. Preferably, the foundation com prises fixation means, such as screw holes or the like, for fixing the tower to the foundation.
  • the outer zone of the base means constitutes the part of the foundation that is configured for carrying all or at least most of the weight of the wind turbine.
  • the base means or at least the outer zone of the base means is preferably made or at least essentially made of steel-concrete or the like.
  • the base means and/or the founda tion preferably has a cylindrical or cubical outer geomet rical shape. Basically, the outer shape and size of the foun dation can be identical or at least similar to foundations known from the prior art.
  • the chamber is provided in the center zone of the base means.
  • the center zone is within a non-loaded area of the founda tion. Therefore, due to the chamber there are no structural disadvantages compared with foundations that do not have such chamber.
  • the chamber is preferably sealed to the environment to prevent moisture from entering the chamber. Inner walls of the chamber preferably have a smooth surface, e. g. to avoid air turbulences.
  • the flywheel of the energy storage means is located within the chamber and pivoted against the walls, e. g. sidewalls, floor or the like, of the chamber, especially by bearings.
  • the bearings are preferably configured for minimized friction to minimize a loss of rotational energy of the rotating fly wheel.
  • An axis of rotation of the flywheel is preferably ver- tical or horizontal.
  • the axis of rotation of the flywheel can be transversal.
  • the flywheel preferably com prises a material with relatively high density, such as lead, iron, steel or the like. It is preferred that the flywheel is configured as a massive body.
  • An outer surface of the fly wheel is preferably relatively smooth to avoid or at least reduce turbulences.
  • the flywheel preferably is of a rotationally symmetrical shape.
  • the chamber and the flywheel are configured such that a constant or at least essentially constant gap is provided between the outer sur face of the flywheel and the inner walls of the chamber.
  • the transmission means of the energy storage means are con figured for transforming energy, preferably electrical ener gy, of the wind turbine into rotational energy of the fly wheel and for transforming rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy.
  • the foundation according to the invention has the advantage that with cost-efficient means and in a safe way, energy of a wind turbine can be temporarily stored and provided on de mand.
  • energy of a wind turbine can be temporarily stored and provided on de mand.
  • the present invention e. g. the scenarios smooth ing power output, improving black start, enhancing perfor mance and providing backup power can be managed.
  • Smoothing power output is advantageous since wind tends to blow at different wind speeds and, therefore, the amount of electrical energy that can be generated by the generator of the wind turbine is not constant.
  • a smoothened power output of the wind turbine can be provided.
  • Smoothing e. g. relates to meeting a certain power setpoint. This means absorbing the power above the setpoint when generation is above the setpoint, or injecting power from the storage when generation is below the setpoint. This applies to all wind speeds. This can be achieved by storing excess energy of the wind turbine in the flywheel or trans forming the rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy on demand.
  • black start of the wind turbine can be improved.
  • backup power for the wind turbine can be provided.
  • batteries are not needed anymore.
  • the transmission means comprise a fly wheel electric motor for transforming electrical energy into rotational energy of the flywheel.
  • the transmission means can comprise more than one fly wheel electric motor for driving the flywheel, e.g. for re dundancy and/or boost operation, when quick transformation of the electrical energy into rotational energy is required.
  • at least one flywheel electric mo tor of the plurality of flywheel electric motors is mechani cally separable from the flywheel and/or the plurality of electric motor by means of a clutch. By means of the flywheel electric motor, the flywheel can be rotated.
  • a motor rotor of the flywheel electric motor is mechanically coupled or at least can be mechanically cou pled to the flywheel.
  • the flywheel electric motor can be a part of the flywheel.
  • a flywheel electric motor has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, transformation of electrical energy into rotational energy of the flywheel can be provided.
  • the transmission means comprise electric con trol means for providing electrical energy produced by a gen erator of the wind turbine and/or electrical energy from the grid to the flywheel electric motor.
  • the electric control means is configured for providing electrical energy from a flywheel generator to the grid.
  • Receiving the electrical energy for driving the flywheel electric motor from the generator of the wind turbine has the advantage that excess electrical energy generated by the generator can be stored as rotational energy.
  • Receiving the electrical energy for driving the flywheel electric motor from the grid has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, excess electrical energy of the grid can be stored as rotational energy. Even in cases that a particular wind tur bine is not operating, the foundation of that wind turbine still can be used for storing energy.
  • the transmission means comprise a flywheel generator for trans forming rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical en ergy.
  • the flywheel generator and the flywheel electric motor are the same device. This has the advantage that investment costs and operating space can be reduced.
  • flywheel generator and flywheel electric motor can be configured as different devices. This has the ad vantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, technical characteristics of the flywheel generator and the flywheel electric motor can be optimized with respect to the prospective operating parameters. Thus, flywheel generator and flywheel electric motor can have different sizes.
  • the energy storage means comprise a clutch for mechanically separating the flywheel from transmission means of the energy storage means.
  • the clutch is located between the flywheel and the flywheel electric mo tor and/or flywheel generator to mechanically separate the flywheel electric motor and/or flywheel generator from the flywheel.
  • the clutch is config- ured as magnetic clutch.
  • a clutch has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, the flywheel can rotate freely without being mechanically coupled to the fly wheel electric motor and/or the flywheel generator. Thus, me chanical losses of the rotation of the flywheel are reduced and rotational energy can be stored within the flywheel for a longer time.
  • the energy storage means comprise mag netic bearings for pivoting the flywheel with respect to the chamber.
  • the magnetic bearings preferably comprise permanent magnets and/or magnetic coils.
  • the energy storage means are configured for providing the magnetic coils with electrical energy generated from the generator of the wind turbine and/or the flywheel generator and/or provided from the grid.
  • the energy storage means comprise a safety bearing to substitute the magnetic bearing in case of a technical defect, outages or the like.
  • the magnetic bearings are preferably supported at the walls and/or the bottom of the chamber. The usage of magnetic bear ings has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost- effective way, friction within the energy storage means can be reduced and rotational energy can be stored within the flywheel for a longer time.
  • the chamber is configured as a vacuum cham ber.
  • the chamber is configured for being sealingly closed to an environment of the foundation.
  • the foundation comprises a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber.
  • the foundation com prises a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the vacuum chamber.
  • the pressure sensor is preferably con nected to a pump control unit of the vacuum pump for automat ically operating the pump in dependence of the measured pres sure.
  • a vacuum chamber has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, air resistance and turbu lences within the chamber can be reduced and rotational ener gy can be stored within the flywheel for a longer time.
  • the energy stor age means comprise a plurality of flywheels.
  • the flywheels are pivotally arranged within the chamber.
  • the flywheels are distributed equally or symmetrically over the chamber.
  • the flywheels are mechanically separated from each other and can be operated independently from each other.
  • each flywheel has a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape.
  • a substantially cylin drical shape is a cylindrical shape with one or more differ ent areas, e. g. for coupling with the bearings. This has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, a flywheel is provided that has especially good rotating properties and can be easily fit into the chamber of the foundation .
  • a wind turbine comprising a rotor with rotor blades for converting wind energy into rotational energy of the rotor, a generator for converting rotational energy of the rotor into electrical energy, a tower for carrying the rotor and the generator and a foundation for carrying the tower.
  • the foundation is a foun dation according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the rotor and the generator are preferably arranged within a rotor chamber, which is pivotally arranged at a top end of the tower.
  • the rotor is pivotally arranged within the rotor chamber.
  • the rotor blades are attached to the rotor and, preferably, are pivotally arranged at the rotor for adjusting a rotor blade setting angle of the rotor blades with respect to the rotor.
  • the tower is configured as a hollow construction with a substantially cylindrical or conical shape.
  • a lower part of the tower preferably has a larger diameter than a higher part of the tower.
  • the tower can consist of more tower sections, which are connectable to each other by fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts, welds or the like.
  • the tower is constructed for carrying the rotor and the generator, es pecially for carrying the rotor chamber.
  • the wind turbine according to the invention has the same ad vantages as the foundation according to the first aspect of the invention. Therefore, the wind turbine has the advantage that with cost-efficient means and in a safe way, electrical energy generated by the generator can be temporarily stored and provided on demand by the energy storage means.
  • the present invention e. g. the scenarios smoothing power out- put, improving black start, enhancing performance and provid ing backup power can be managed.
  • the problem is solved by a method for storing and using energy generated by a wind turbine, especially a wind turbine according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the Method comprising the following steps:
  • the clutch especially a magnetic clutch
  • the flywheel of the founda tion of the wind turbine is mechanically coupled with the mo tor rotor of the flywheel electric motor of the foundation.
  • rotational speed of the flywheel elec tric motor and the flywheel are within a predetermined flexi bility ratio.
  • the motor rotor of the flywheel electric motors starts rotating. Since the clutch is closed, this will drive the flywheel to rotate. Thus, the electrical energy is converted into rotational energy.
  • the clutch is opened.
  • the flywheel can rotate freely with minimized energy loss.
  • the clutch has to be closed again .
  • the flywheel is coupled with the flywheel generator such that the flywheel and the flywheel generator are within a predetermined flexibility ratio.
  • This is preferably imple mented by the clutch, especially the same clutch that has been closed in the initial method step.
  • the method according to the invention has the same advantages as the foundation according to the first aspect of the inven tion and the wind turbine according to the second step of the invention. Therefore, the inventive method for storing and using energy generated by a wind turbine has the advantage that with cost-efficient means and in a safe way, electrical energy generated by the generator can be temporarily stored and provided on demand by the energy storage means.
  • the present invention e. g. the scenarios smoothing power out put, improving black start, enhancing performance and provid ing backup power can be managed.
  • the electrical energy produced by the flywheel generator is used for driving an electric motor for supporting rotation of a rotor of the wind turbine.
  • the electric motor can be the generator of the wind turbine.
  • This step is especially performed in a situation when the rotor of the wind turbine is not rotating and has to be accelerated to an operating rotational speed. This opera tion is also called "black start”.
  • this step can be performed to support an already rotating rotor, e. g. when there are gusty or intermittent winds in order to prevent an unintentional stopping of the rotor.
  • This has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, the ef ficiency of the wind turbine can be enhanced.
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a prior art founda tion of a wind turbine
  • Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional side view of a pre
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a first con figuration of the invention
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a second
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of an electric config uration according to the invention
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional side view of a pre
  • Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodi ment of a wind turbine according to the invention.
  • Figure 8 shows a schematic flow plan of a preferred embodi ment of the method according to the invention.
  • a prior art foundation 1 of a wind turbine 2 is shown in a schematic side view.
  • the foundation 1 comprises a base means 3 with a center zone 4 and an outer zone 5.
  • a tower 18 of the wind turbine 2 is mounted on the center zone 4 .
  • the base means 3 of the foundation 1 is configured as a solid steel-concrete block with an inclined upper surface in the outer zone 5 and a horizontal upper surface in the center zone 4.
  • Fig. 2 shows a preferred first embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional side view.
  • the center zone 4 of the base means 3 of the foundation 1 is shown in detail, wherein the outer zone 5 is cut-off for reasons of better overview.
  • the foundation 1 of the wind turbine 2 com prises base means 3 that preferably comprise or consist of concrete, steel-concrete or the like.
  • energy storage means 7 of the foundation 1 are located in the center zone 4 of the foundation 1.
  • the energy storage means 7 located inside a chamber 6 that is formed within the base means 3.
  • the energy storage means 7 comprise a flywheel 8 with a vertical rota tion axis R.
  • the flywheel 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the flywheel 8 is pivotally arranged within the cham ber 6 by means of magnetic bearings 14 on the sides and the bottom of the flywheel 8, supporting the flywheel 8 against inner walls of the chamber 6.
  • the energy storage means 7 fur ther comprise transmission means 9, comprising a flywheel electric motor 10 with a motor rotor 19 and a clutch 13, con figured as magnetic clutch 13, for mechanically connecting and disconnecting the motor rotor 19 with the flywheel 8.
  • the flywheel electric motor 10 is further configured as flywheel generator 12.
  • the flywheel 8 can be rotated to convert electric energy into ro tational energy.
  • the flywheel generator 12 the rotational energy of the flywheel 8 can be converted into electric energy.
  • a first configuration of the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view.
  • the foundation 1 comprises just one single flywheel 8, pivot ally arranged in the center zone 4.
  • the flywheel 8 has a sub stantially cylindrical shape and is of a size to almost com pletely fill the center zone 4.
  • a second configuration of the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view.
  • the foundation 1 comprises nine flywheels 8, pivotally arranged in the center zone 4.
  • the flywheels are evenly dis tributed over the center zone 4, wherein one flywheel 8 is located in the middle axis of the center zone 4 and the other eight flywheels 8 are evenly distributed along a circle around the middle axis.
  • the flywheels 8 have a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the diameter of the flywheels 8 according to the second configuration are much smaller than the diameter of the flywheel 8 according to the first config uration as shown in Fig. 3.
  • Fig. 5 shows an electric configuration according to the in vention in a schematic perspective view.
  • the flywheel 8 is connected with the flywheel electric motor 10, wherein the flywheel electric motor 10 is configured as flywheel genera tor 12.
  • a clutch 13 is not illustrated in this figure, howev er, it is preferred that there is a clutch 13 between the flywheel 8 and the motor rotor 19.
  • a rotor 15 with rotor blades 16 is mechanically connected with a generator 17.
  • the generator 17 is configured for transforming rotational energy of the rotor 15 into electrical energy.
  • the generator 17 is further configured as an electric motor 20 for driving the rotor 15.
  • the generator 17 is connect ed via electric lines and an electric control means 11 to a grid G and to the fly wheel motor 10.
  • the electric configuration comprises several electric switches 21 for switching between different opera tion configurations, such as driving the flywheel 8 with the flywheel motor 10, generating electricity with the flywheel generator 12 for driving the electric motor 20 for driving the rotor 15 or providing electricity to the grid G.
  • a preferred second embodiment of the invention is shown in a schematic side view.
  • the center zone 4 of the base means 3 of the foundation 1 is shown in detail, wherein the outer zone 5 is cut-off for reasons of better overview.
  • the foundation 1 of the wind turbine 2 com prises base means 3 that preferably comprise or consist of concrete, steel-concrete or the like.
  • energy storage means 7 of the foundation 1 are located in the center zone 4 of the foundation 1.
  • the energy storage means 7 located inside a chamber 6 that is formed within the base means 3.
  • the energy storage means 7 comprise a flywheel 8 with a horizontal rota tion axis R.
  • the flywheel 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape.
  • the flywheel 8 is pivotally arranged within the cham ber 6 by means of magnetic bearings 14 on the sides of the flywheel 8, supporting the flywheel 8 against inner walls of the chamber 6.
  • the energy storage means 7 further comprise transmission means 9, comprising a flywheel electric motor 10 with a motor rotor 19 and a clutch 13, configured as magnetic clutch 13, for mechanically connecting and disconnecting the motor rotor 19 with the flywheel 8.
  • the flywheel electric mo tor 10 is further configured as flywheel generator 12.
  • the flywheel electric motor 10 By means of the flywheel electric motor 10, the flywheel 8 can be rotated to convert electric energy into rotational energy.
  • the flywheel generator 12 the rotational energy of the flywheel 8 can be converted into electric energy.
  • Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a wind turbine 2 ac cording to the invention in a schematic side view.
  • the wind turbine 2 comprises a foundation 1, a tower 18 and a rotor unit 22 with a rotor 15, rotor blades 16 and a generator 17 that is configured as electric motor 20 as well.
  • the tower 18 is mounted onto the foundation 1.
  • the rotor unit 22 is mount ed onto an upper end of the tower 18.
  • a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown in a schematic flow plan.
  • a clutch 13 is closed.
  • a flywheel 8 of a foundation 1 of the wind turbine 2 is mechanically coupled with a motor rotor 19 of a flywheel electric motor 10 of the foundation 1.
  • electrical energy pro **d by a generator 17 of the wind turbine 2 is provided to the flywheel electric motor 10 by electric control means 11 of the foundation 1.
  • the flywheel elec tric motor 10 is operated with the provided electrical ener gy. By these means, electrical energy is converted into rota tional energy of the flywheel 8.
  • the clutch 13 is opened.
  • the flywheel 8 is mechani cally uncoupled from the motor rotor 19 and can rotate freely. In this state, the flywheel 8 can rotate for several hours, storing rotational energy.
  • the clutch 13 is closed again and the flywheel 8 is mechanically coupled with the motor rotor 19 again.
  • the fifth step 500 is preferably initiated, when wind speeds are not sufficient or unsteady for driving the rotor 15, the rotor 15 shall be started and/or there is demand for electrical energy by the grid G.
  • the flywheel generator 12 gener ates electrical energy by converting rotational energy of the flywheel 8.
  • a seventh step 700 the generated electrical energy is provided to the electric motor 20 for driving the rotor 15 and/or to the grid G for providing the grid with electrical energy.
  • a converter is used to condition the power generated by the flywheel so that it matches the grid re quirements .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Wind Motors (AREA)
  • Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a Foundation (1) for a wind turbine (2), comprising base means (3) with a center zone (4) and an outer zone (5), wherein the outer zone (5) is configured for carrying most of the weight of the wind turbine (2). In the center zone (4), the base means (3) comprise a chamber (6), wherein the foundation (1) further comprises energy storage means (7), wherein the energy storage means (7) comprise a flywheel (8) pivotally arranged within the chamber (6) for storing rotational energy. The energy storage means (7) further comprise transmission means (9) for transforming energy of a wind turbine (2) into rotational energy of the flywheel (8) and for transforming rotational energy of the flywheel (8) into electrical energy. The invention further relates to a wind turbine (2) and to a method for storing and using energy generated by a wind turbine (2).

Description

Description
Foundation for a wind turbine and wind turbine
The present invention is related to a foundation for a wind turbine, especially for an onshore wind turbine. Furthermore, the invention is related to a wind turbine, especially an on shore wind turbine.
Foundations for wind turbines, especially for onshore wind turbines, are used to provide a base for a tower of the wind turbine. Usually, such foundations are made of concrete, es pecially reinforced concrete, or the like. These foundations comprise different zones that contribute differently to the support of the tower. Basically, such foundations comprise an outer zone and a center zone, wherein all or at least most of the load of the tower is conducted into the outer zone.
Therefore, the center zone is also denoted as "non-loaded ar ea" .
Generally, center zones just exist due to simplify the design of the foundation and installation but have no particular function due to the lack of loads present. Therefore, the center zones essentially contribute to the environmental footprint as well as the costs of the wind turbine project.
Moreover, wind turbines have the disadvantage that in windy situations a surplus of electricity may be produced wherein in windless situations no electricity can be generated. This means a special challenge for the electric grid to transport and store electricity produced by wind turbines.
To relieve the grid and to provide a more constant electrici ty supply, there are approaches for storing electricity lo cally at the wind turbine. Documents US 7,608,937 B1 and US 7,265,456 B2 relate to power generation systems with wind turbine generators and batteries for storing excess electric- ity and providing that electricity in windless or low wind speed situations.
Batteries have the disadvantage of relatively high costs and low lifetime due to constant capacity loss. Used batteries are hazardous waste and, as a consequence, recycling of bat teries is very expensive as well. Moreover, such batteries often require cooling means to prevent overheat and have to be protected from environmental influences, especially from water .
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to pro vide a device that does not have these drawbacks or at least partially does not have these drawbacks. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a foundation for a wind turbine and a wind turbine that provides an im proved storage of energy produced by the wind turbine.
This object is solved by the patent claims. Therefore, this object is solved by a foundation for a wind turbine with the features of independent claim 1, by a wind turbine with the features of independent claim 10 and by a method with the features of independent claim 11. Further details of the in vention unfold from the dependent claims as well as the de scription and the drawings.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a foundation for a wind turbine, comprising base means with a center zone and an outer zone, wherein the outer zone is configured for carrying most of the weight of the wind turbine. According to the invention, in the center zone, the base means comprises a chamber, wherein the foundation further comprises energy storage means. The energy storage means comprise a flywheel pivotally arranged within the cham ber for storing rotational energy and transmission means for transforming energy of a wind turbine into rotational energy of the flywheel and for transforming rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy. The foundation is configured as a base for a wind turbine, especially a wind turbine with a rotor comprising rotor blades for converting wind energy into rotational energy of the rotor, a generator for converting rotational energy of the rotor into electrical energy and a tower for carrying the rotor and the generator. Therefore, the foundation is config ured as a base for the tower. Preferably, the foundation com prises fixation means, such as screw holes or the like, for fixing the tower to the foundation.
The outer zone of the base means constitutes the part of the foundation that is configured for carrying all or at least most of the weight of the wind turbine. The base means or at least the outer zone of the base means is preferably made or at least essentially made of steel-concrete or the like. Ac cording to the invention, the base means and/or the founda tion preferably has a cylindrical or cubical outer geomet rical shape. Basically, the outer shape and size of the foun dation can be identical or at least similar to foundations known from the prior art.
The chamber is provided in the center zone of the base means. The center zone is within a non-loaded area of the founda tion. Therefore, due to the chamber there are no structural disadvantages compared with foundations that do not have such chamber. The chamber is preferably sealed to the environment to prevent moisture from entering the chamber. Inner walls of the chamber preferably have a smooth surface, e. g. to avoid air turbulences.
The flywheel of the energy storage means is located within the chamber and pivoted against the walls, e. g. sidewalls, floor or the like, of the chamber, especially by bearings. Thus, the flywheel can rotate freely inside the chamber. The bearings are preferably configured for minimized friction to minimize a loss of rotational energy of the rotating fly wheel. An axis of rotation of the flywheel is preferably ver- tical or horizontal. Alternatively, the axis of rotation of the flywheel can be transversal. The flywheel preferably com prises a material with relatively high density, such as lead, iron, steel or the like. It is preferred that the flywheel is configured as a massive body. An outer surface of the fly wheel is preferably relatively smooth to avoid or at least reduce turbulences. Moreover, the flywheel preferably is of a rotationally symmetrical shape. Preferably the chamber and the flywheel are configured such that a constant or at least essentially constant gap is provided between the outer sur face of the flywheel and the inner walls of the chamber.
The transmission means of the energy storage means are con figured for transforming energy, preferably electrical ener gy, of the wind turbine into rotational energy of the fly wheel and for transforming rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy.
The foundation according to the invention has the advantage that with cost-efficient means and in a safe way, energy of a wind turbine can be temporarily stored and provided on de mand. With the present invention, e. g. the scenarios smooth ing power output, improving black start, enhancing perfor mance and providing backup power can be managed.
Smoothing power output is advantageous since wind tends to blow at different wind speeds and, therefore, the amount of electrical energy that can be generated by the generator of the wind turbine is not constant. By means of the present in vention, a smoothened power output of the wind turbine can be provided. Smoothing e. g. relates to meeting a certain power setpoint. This means absorbing the power above the setpoint when generation is above the setpoint, or injecting power from the storage when generation is below the setpoint. This applies to all wind speeds. This can be achieved by storing excess energy of the wind turbine in the flywheel or trans forming the rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy on demand. Furthermore, by means of the present invention, black start of the wind turbine can be improved. For starting the rotor of the wind turbine, inertia, friction and stiction have to be overcome. Moreover, a main application for black start is to provide the current that magnetises the generator coils in order to create the magnetic field necessary for induction. Present wind turbines need to draw electrical energy from the grid for startup. With the present invention, start-up of the rotor is even possible in situations when there is not enough electrical energy available in the grid, e. g. right after a grid outage.
Beyond that, by means of the present invention, backup power for the wind turbine can be provided. Thus, batteries are not needed anymore.
It is preferred that the transmission means comprise a fly wheel electric motor for transforming electrical energy into rotational energy of the flywheel. According to the inven tion, the transmission means can comprise more than one fly wheel electric motor for driving the flywheel, e.g. for re dundancy and/or boost operation, when quick transformation of the electrical energy into rotational energy is required. It is further preferred that at least one flywheel electric mo tor of the plurality of flywheel electric motors is mechani cally separable from the flywheel and/or the plurality of electric motor by means of a clutch. By means of the flywheel electric motor, the flywheel can be rotated. Therefore, it is preferred that a motor rotor of the flywheel electric motor is mechanically coupled or at least can be mechanically cou pled to the flywheel. In an alternative embodiment of the in vention, the flywheel electric motor can be a part of the flywheel. A flywheel electric motor has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, transformation of electrical energy into rotational energy of the flywheel can be provided. Advantageously, the transmission means comprise electric con trol means for providing electrical energy produced by a gen erator of the wind turbine and/or electrical energy from the grid to the flywheel electric motor. Further preferred, the electric control means is configured for providing electrical energy from a flywheel generator to the grid. Receiving the electrical energy for driving the flywheel electric motor from the generator of the wind turbine has the advantage that excess electrical energy generated by the generator can be stored as rotational energy. Receiving the electrical energy for driving the flywheel electric motor from the grid has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, excess electrical energy of the grid can be stored as rotational energy. Even in cases that a particular wind tur bine is not operating, the foundation of that wind turbine still can be used for storing energy.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transmission means comprise a flywheel generator for trans forming rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical en ergy. Preferably, the flywheel generator and the flywheel electric motor are the same device. This has the advantage that investment costs and operating space can be reduced. Al ternatively, flywheel generator and flywheel electric motor can be configured as different devices. This has the ad vantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, technical characteristics of the flywheel generator and the flywheel electric motor can be optimized with respect to the prospective operating parameters. Thus, flywheel generator and flywheel electric motor can have different sizes.
Preferably, the energy storage means comprise a clutch for mechanically separating the flywheel from transmission means of the energy storage means. It is preferred that the clutch is located between the flywheel and the flywheel electric mo tor and/or flywheel generator to mechanically separate the flywheel electric motor and/or flywheel generator from the flywheel. It is further preferred that the clutch is config- ured as magnetic clutch. A clutch has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, the flywheel can rotate freely without being mechanically coupled to the fly wheel electric motor and/or the flywheel generator. Thus, me chanical losses of the rotation of the flywheel are reduced and rotational energy can be stored within the flywheel for a longer time.
It is preferred that the energy storage means comprise mag netic bearings for pivoting the flywheel with respect to the chamber. The magnetic bearings preferably comprise permanent magnets and/or magnetic coils. Preferably, the energy storage means are configured for providing the magnetic coils with electrical energy generated from the generator of the wind turbine and/or the flywheel generator and/or provided from the grid. It is further preferred that the energy storage means comprise a safety bearing to substitute the magnetic bearing in case of a technical defect, outages or the like. The magnetic bearings are preferably supported at the walls and/or the bottom of the chamber. The usage of magnetic bear ings has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost- effective way, friction within the energy storage means can be reduced and rotational energy can be stored within the flywheel for a longer time.
Advantageously, the chamber is configured as a vacuum cham ber. This means that the chamber is configured for being sealingly closed to an environment of the foundation. It is further preferred that the foundation comprises a vacuum pump for evacuating the chamber. Preferably, the foundation com prises a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure inside the vacuum chamber. The pressure sensor is preferably con nected to a pump control unit of the vacuum pump for automat ically operating the pump in dependence of the measured pres sure. A vacuum chamber has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, air resistance and turbu lences within the chamber can be reduced and rotational ener gy can be stored within the flywheel for a longer time. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the energy stor age means comprise a plurality of flywheels. The flywheels are pivotally arranged within the chamber. Preferably, the flywheels are distributed equally or symmetrically over the chamber. Preferably, the flywheels are mechanically separated from each other and can be operated independently from each other. By these means, sizes of the flywheels can be signifi cantly smaller than the size of only one flywheel. Therefore, sizes of the flywheel electric motors and the flywheel gener ators can be smaller as well. A plurality of flywheels has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, storage of energy can be improved.
It is preferred that each flywheel has a cylindrical or at least substantially cylindrical shape. A substantially cylin drical shape is a cylindrical shape with one or more differ ent areas, e. g. for coupling with the bearings. This has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, a flywheel is provided that has especially good rotating properties and can be easily fit into the chamber of the foundation .
According to a second aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a wind turbine, comprising a rotor with rotor blades for converting wind energy into rotational energy of the rotor, a generator for converting rotational energy of the rotor into electrical energy, a tower for carrying the rotor and the generator and a foundation for carrying the tower. According to the invention, the foundation is a foun dation according to the first aspect of the invention.
The rotor and the generator are preferably arranged within a rotor chamber, which is pivotally arranged at a top end of the tower. The rotor is pivotally arranged within the rotor chamber. The rotor blades are attached to the rotor and, preferably, are pivotally arranged at the rotor for adjusting a rotor blade setting angle of the rotor blades with respect to the rotor.
Preferably, the tower is configured as a hollow construction with a substantially cylindrical or conical shape. A lower part of the tower preferably has a larger diameter than a higher part of the tower. The tower can consist of more tower sections, which are connectable to each other by fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts, welds or the like. The tower is constructed for carrying the rotor and the generator, es pecially for carrying the rotor chamber.
The wind turbine according to the invention has the same ad vantages as the foundation according to the first aspect of the invention. Therefore, the wind turbine has the advantage that with cost-efficient means and in a safe way, electrical energy generated by the generator can be temporarily stored and provided on demand by the energy storage means. With the present invention, e. g. the scenarios smoothing power out- put, improving black start, enhancing performance and provid ing backup power can be managed.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the problem is solved by a method for storing and using energy generated by a wind turbine, especially a wind turbine according to the second aspect of the invention. The Method comprising the following steps:
closing a clutch for coupling a flywheel of a foundation of the wind turbine with a motor rotor of a flywheel elec tric motor of the foundation,
providing electrical energy produced by a generator of the wind turbine to the flywheel electric motor by electric control means of the foundation,
operating the flywheel electric motor with the provided electrical energy and thereby generating rotational energy of the flywheel, and driving a flywheel generator by the rotating flywheel for converting the rotational energy of the flywheel into electrical energy.
In an initial step, the clutch, especially a magnetic clutch, is closed. By closing the clutch, the flywheel of the founda tion of the wind turbine is mechanically coupled with the mo tor rotor of the flywheel electric motor of the foundation. With a closed clutch, rotational speed of the flywheel elec tric motor and the flywheel are within a predetermined flexi bility ratio.
Wind blows with a certain wind speed or various wind speeds against the rotor blades of the rotor of the wind turbine. This causes the rotor to rotate. Since the rotor and the gen erator are mechanically coupled with each other, this causes the generator to generate electrical energy. At least part of this electrical energy, especially when the capacity of the grid is at its limit, is provided to the flywheel electric motor .
By providing the electrical energy the flywheel electric mo tor, the motor rotor of the flywheel electric motors starts rotating. Since the clutch is closed, this will drive the flywheel to rotate. Thus, the electrical energy is converted into rotational energy.
In case it is intended to store the rotational energy of the flywheel for a longer period, it is preferred that the clutch is opened. Thus, there the flywheel can rotate freely with minimized energy loss. For converting the rotational energy back into electrical energy, the clutch has to be closed again .
Finally, the flywheel is coupled with the flywheel generator such that the flywheel and the flywheel generator are within a predetermined flexibility ratio. This is preferably imple mented by the clutch, especially the same clutch that has been closed in the initial method step. By these means, rota tional energy of the flywheel is converted by the flywheel generator into electrical energy.
The method according to the invention has the same advantages as the foundation according to the first aspect of the inven tion and the wind turbine according to the second step of the invention. Therefore, the inventive method for storing and using energy generated by a wind turbine has the advantage that with cost-efficient means and in a safe way, electrical energy generated by the generator can be temporarily stored and provided on demand by the energy storage means. With the present invention, e. g. the scenarios smoothing power out put, improving black start, enhancing performance and provid ing backup power can be managed.
It is preferred that in a further step, the electrical energy produced by the flywheel generator is used for driving an electric motor for supporting rotation of a rotor of the wind turbine. The electric motor can be the generator of the wind turbine. This step is especially performed in a situation when the rotor of the wind turbine is not rotating and has to be accelerated to an operating rotational speed. This opera tion is also called "black start". However, this step can be performed to support an already rotating rotor, e. g. when there are gusty or intermittent winds in order to prevent an unintentional stopping of the rotor. This has the advantage that, by ordinary means and in a cost-effective way, the ef ficiency of the wind turbine can be enhanced.
Further advantages, features and details of the invention un fold from the following description, in which by reference to drawings working examples of the present invention are de scribed in detail. Thereby, the features from the claims as well as the features mentioned in the description can be es sential for the invention as taken alone or in an arbitrary combination. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a prior art founda tion of a wind turbine,
Figure 2 shows a schematic sectional side view of a pre
ferred first embodiment of the invention,
Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a first con figuration of the invention,
Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a second
configuration of the invention,
Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of an electric config uration according to the invention,
Figure 6 shows a schematic sectional side view of a pre
ferred second embodiment of the invention,
Figure 7 shows a schematic side view of a preferred embodi ment of a wind turbine according to the invention, and
Figure 8 shows a schematic flow plan of a preferred embodi ment of the method according to the invention.
Elements with the same function and effectiveness are denoted each in figures 1 to 8 with the same reference numbers.
In Fig. 1, a prior art foundation 1 of a wind turbine 2 is shown in a schematic side view. The foundation 1 comprises a base means 3 with a center zone 4 and an outer zone 5. On the center zone 4 a tower 18 of the wind turbine 2 is mounted. Basically all of the load of the tower 18 is carried by the outer zone 5, wherein the inner zone 4 is a non-working load area. The base means 3 of the foundation 1 is configured as a solid steel-concrete block with an inclined upper surface in the outer zone 5 and a horizontal upper surface in the center zone 4. Fig. 2 shows a preferred first embodiment of the invention in a schematic sectional side view. In this figure, the center zone 4 of the base means 3 of the foundation 1 is shown in detail, wherein the outer zone 5 is cut-off for reasons of better overview. The foundation 1 of the wind turbine 2 com prises base means 3 that preferably comprise or consist of concrete, steel-concrete or the like. In the center zone 4 of the foundation 1, energy storage means 7 of the foundation 1 are located. The energy storage means 7 located inside a chamber 6 that is formed within the base means 3. The energy storage means 7 comprise a flywheel 8 with a vertical rota tion axis R. The flywheel 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The flywheel 8 is pivotally arranged within the cham ber 6 by means of magnetic bearings 14 on the sides and the bottom of the flywheel 8, supporting the flywheel 8 against inner walls of the chamber 6. The energy storage means 7 fur ther comprise transmission means 9, comprising a flywheel electric motor 10 with a motor rotor 19 and a clutch 13, con figured as magnetic clutch 13, for mechanically connecting and disconnecting the motor rotor 19 with the flywheel 8. The flywheel electric motor 10 is further configured as flywheel generator 12. By means of the flywheel electric motor 10, the flywheel 8 can be rotated to convert electric energy into ro tational energy. By means of the flywheel generator 12, the rotational energy of the flywheel 8 can be converted into electric energy.
In Fig. 3, a first configuration of the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. In this first configuration, the foundation 1 comprises just one single flywheel 8, pivot ally arranged in the center zone 4. The flywheel 8 has a sub stantially cylindrical shape and is of a size to almost com pletely fill the center zone 4.
In Fig. 4, a second configuration of the invention is shown in a schematic perspective view. In this second configura tion, the foundation 1 comprises nine flywheels 8, pivotally arranged in the center zone 4. The flywheels are evenly dis tributed over the center zone 4, wherein one flywheel 8 is located in the middle axis of the center zone 4 and the other eight flywheels 8 are evenly distributed along a circle around the middle axis. The flywheels 8 have a substantially cylindrical shape, wherein the diameter of the flywheels 8 according to the second configuration are much smaller than the diameter of the flywheel 8 according to the first config uration as shown in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 shows an electric configuration according to the in vention in a schematic perspective view. The flywheel 8 is connected with the flywheel electric motor 10, wherein the flywheel electric motor 10 is configured as flywheel genera tor 12. A clutch 13 is not illustrated in this figure, howev er, it is preferred that there is a clutch 13 between the flywheel 8 and the motor rotor 19. A rotor 15 with rotor blades 16 is mechanically connected with a generator 17. The generator 17 is configured for transforming rotational energy of the rotor 15 into electrical energy. The generator 17 is further configured as an electric motor 20 for driving the rotor 15. The generator 17 is connect ed via electric lines and an electric control means 11 to a grid G and to the fly wheel motor 10. The electric configuration comprises several electric switches 21 for switching between different opera tion configurations, such as driving the flywheel 8 with the flywheel motor 10, generating electricity with the flywheel generator 12 for driving the electric motor 20 for driving the rotor 15 or providing electricity to the grid G.
In Fig. 6, a preferred second embodiment of the invention is shown in a schematic side view. In this figure, the center zone 4 of the base means 3 of the foundation 1 is shown in detail, wherein the outer zone 5 is cut-off for reasons of better overview. The foundation 1 of the wind turbine 2 com prises base means 3 that preferably comprise or consist of concrete, steel-concrete or the like. In the center zone 4 of the foundation 1, energy storage means 7 of the foundation 1 are located. The energy storage means 7 located inside a chamber 6 that is formed within the base means 3. The energy storage means 7 comprise a flywheel 8 with a horizontal rota tion axis R. The flywheel 8 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The flywheel 8 is pivotally arranged within the cham ber 6 by means of magnetic bearings 14 on the sides of the flywheel 8, supporting the flywheel 8 against inner walls of the chamber 6. The energy storage means 7 further comprise transmission means 9, comprising a flywheel electric motor 10 with a motor rotor 19 and a clutch 13, configured as magnetic clutch 13, for mechanically connecting and disconnecting the motor rotor 19 with the flywheel 8. The flywheel electric mo tor 10 is further configured as flywheel generator 12. By means of the flywheel electric motor 10, the flywheel 8 can be rotated to convert electric energy into rotational energy. By means of the flywheel generator 12, the rotational energy of the flywheel 8 can be converted into electric energy.
Fig. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a wind turbine 2 ac cording to the invention in a schematic side view. The wind turbine 2 comprises a foundation 1, a tower 18 and a rotor unit 22 with a rotor 15, rotor blades 16 and a generator 17 that is configured as electric motor 20 as well. The tower 18 is mounted onto the foundation 1. The rotor unit 22 is mount ed onto an upper end of the tower 18.
In Fig. 8, a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is shown in a schematic flow plan. In a first step 100, a clutch 13 is closed. Thereby, a flywheel 8 of a foundation 1 of the wind turbine 2 is mechanically coupled with a motor rotor 19 of a flywheel electric motor 10 of the foundation 1. In a second step 200, electrical energy pro duced by a generator 17 of the wind turbine 2 is provided to the flywheel electric motor 10 by electric control means 11 of the foundation 1. In a third step 300, the flywheel elec tric motor 10 is operated with the provided electrical ener gy. By these means, electrical energy is converted into rota tional energy of the flywheel 8. In a fourth step 400, the clutch 13 is opened. As a result, the flywheel 8 is mechani cally uncoupled from the motor rotor 19 and can rotate freely. In this state, the flywheel 8 can rotate for several hours, storing rotational energy. In a fifth step 500, the clutch 13 is closed again and the flywheel 8 is mechanically coupled with the motor rotor 19 again. The fifth step 500 is preferably initiated, when wind speeds are not sufficient or unsteady for driving the rotor 15, the rotor 15 shall be started and/or there is demand for electrical energy by the grid G. In a sixth step 600, the flywheel generator 12 gener ates electrical energy by converting rotational energy of the flywheel 8. In a seventh step 700, the generated electrical energy is provided to the electric motor 20 for driving the rotor 15 and/or to the grid G for providing the grid with electrical energy. For providing the grid G witch electrical energy, preferably a converter is used to condition the power generated by the flywheel so that it matches the grid re quirements .

Claims

Patent claims
1. Foundation (1) for a wind turbine (2), comprising base means (3) with a center zone (4) and an outer zone (5), wherein the outer zone (5) is configured for carrying all of the weight of the wind turbine (2),
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that in the center zone (4), the base means (3) comprise a chamber (6), wherein the foundation (1) further comprises en ergy storage means (7), wherein the energy storage means (7) comprise a flywheel (8) pivotally arranged within the chamber (6) for storing rotational energy, and wherein the energy storage means (7) further comprise transmission means (9) for transforming energy of a wind turbine (2) into rotational en ergy of the flywheel (8) and for transforming rotational en ergy of the flywheel (8) into electrical energy, wherein the transmission means (9) comprise a flywheel electric motor (10) for transforming electrical energy into rotational ener gy of the flywheel (8), and wherein the transmission means (9) comprise electric control means (11) for providing elec trical energy from the grid (G) to the flywheel electric mo tor (10).
2. Foundation (1) according to claim 1,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that the transmission means (9) comprise a flywheel generator (12) for transforming rotational energy of the flywheel (8) into electrical energy.
3. Foundation (1) according to claim 1 or 2,
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that the energy storage means (7) comprise a clutch (13) for mechanically separating the flywheel (8) from transmission means (9) of the energy storage means (7) .
4. Foundation (1) according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the energy storage means (7) comprise magnetic bearings (14) for pivoting the flywheel (8) with respect to the cham ber ( 6 ) .
5. Foundation (1) according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that the chamber (6) is configured as a vacuum chamber (6) .
6. Foundation (1) according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that the energy storage means (7) comprise a plurality of flywheels ( 8 ) .
7. Foundation (1) according to any of the previous claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that each flywheel (8) has a cylindrical or at least substan tially cylindrical shape.
8. Wind turbine (2), comprising a rotor (15) with rotor blades (16) for converting wind energy into rotational energy of the rotor (15), a generator (17) for converting rotational energy of the rotor (15) into electrical energy, a tower (18) for carrying the rotor (15) and the generator (17) and a foundation (1) for carrying the tower (18),
c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n
that the foundation (1) is a foundation (1) according to any of the previous claims.
9. Method for storing and using energy generated by a wind turbine (2) comprising the following steps:
closing a clutch (13) for coupling a flywheel (8) of a foundation (1) of the wind turbine (2) with a motor rotor (19) of a flywheel electric motor (10) of the foundation (1) ,
providing electrical energy produced by a generator (17) of the wind turbine (2) to the flywheel electric motor (10) by electric control means (11) of the foundation (1), operating the flywheel electric motor (10) with the pro vided electrical energy and thereby generating rotational energy of the flywheel (8), and
driving a flywheel generator (12) by the rotating flywheel (8) for converting the rotational energy of the flywheel (8) into electrical energy,
wherein the electrical energy produced by the flywheel gener ator (12) is used for driving an electric motor (20) for sup porting rotation of a rotor (15) of the wind turbine (2) .
EP20710826.7A 2019-03-04 2020-03-02 Foundation for a wind turbine and wind turbine Active EP3918195B1 (en)

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